Air-valve for radiators.



T. WHEATLEY.

AIR VALVE FOB RADIATOR.' 'f' Arrmoulon rum) oor.so,'1ooa.

' Pawumnbvxioxmoa.

i 'Il swive readily ad]ust themselves to their seats, and` l' atmosphere, which tends to hol THOMAS WHEATLEY, OF SYRAOUSE, NEW YORK.

AIR-VALVE FOB RADIATRS.

Spcification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Application led October 80, 1906. Serial No. 341,286.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS WHEATLEY, of S rac'use, in the county of Ononda a, in the `tate of l\'ew York, have invente new and useful Improvements in Air-Valves for Radiators, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingls is a full, clear, and exact description.

` lnvention relates to certain improvements in air valves for radiators in which communication between theheating s stem and atlnos here is controlled throug the medium o a float-actuated valve and a diaphragm whereby the cold air is lallowed to escape during t e upflow of the heating agent into the system, but is prevented from rentering the system b the diaphragm and the partial vacuum w ich is created cby the back-flow of the water in the heating system.

The one broad object of all devices of this character is to allow. a displacement of the air from the system to atmosphere bythe infiowing heating agent and to instantly close the air vent to atmosphere upon the entrance of the heating agent to that part of the device in which the air vent is located to revent the escape of the heating agent into the room.. Any contrivance, therefore, which will accelerate the closing action of the vent valve immediately upon the exulsion of a1`r through the yent cannot but e regarded as an advance i n the art, and in my pre; ent invention, I have sought to combine in the same device two methods of producing' this accelerated action; first, by

mg the valves so that they will more thereby produce a more positive and reliable closing of the vent, and second, to provide means brought into action by the recession of the water in the system for preventing rentrance of air so that a partial vacuum is created between the s stem and the heating agent into .that part of the system nearest the vent so that when the circuit is again Opened. there is less air to expel, and a corresponding acceleration in the closing of the vent valves.

A further Object is to provide means for ad'usting the diaphragm against one of the va ves in the vent so as to ositively close communication between the ieating system and atmosphere, which would cause an air l cushion between the inflowing heating agent ing and closing the circuit of the heating agent.

A still further obiect is to provide the base of the float with av closed air chamber dipping into the well which receives the water of condensation and whereb the weight of the float is more evenly ha anced by, a predetermined volume .of water in the well, and its action by the heated air and water is, therefore, more instantaneous. In other words, I am enabled to use a shallower well requiring a smaller water displacement forbalancing the float so as to normally hold the valve carried thereby close to its seat, still leaving suflcient opening for the escape of air until the float is actuated by the heated air and water to close said valve against its seat.

` A still further object is to provide a partition for separating the inflowing heating agent from the outowing water of condensation and thereby facilitating circulation.

Other ob,'eets' and uses relating to the specific structure of my parti cularvalve mechanism will be brought ont in the following description. In the drawings-Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved air valve. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views taken respectif-'rely on line 3-3, 4-4, and 5 5, Fig. 2.

The particular device forming the subject matter of' mv present invention, comprises the Outer shell or casing consisting in this inyance of tubular sections, 1,--2- and -3 and cap sections w14* and -5-, all of wh ich parts are made of thin sheet metal and are spun, pressed, .or stamped to the desired form.

The section 1.- which will hereafter oe termed the base section, has its lower en d reduced, forming an annular shoulder --6- and an annular flange -7- depending from the shoulder 6-' and threaded to receive a screw-cap L8 which closcs the lower end of the section. -1 said cap 8 being provided with a central raisedl abutment -0 forming a limiting stop adapted to envage the lower ends of a float --10--. This.

base section -1- is alsol rovided with a lateral inlet 11-1n one s1 e some` distance into and closel above its bottom or cap -8- forming a well -12 below the level ofthe inlet for receiving the water of condensation which may accumulate in the shell.

A horizontal artition -13 is inserted tted Within the base section -1- before t e top section -2-- is secured in position and is provided with a laterally extending arm --14.-l projecting centrally through and fitting closely within the inlet -11- so as to divide said inlet into lower and up er passages, the upper passage being adapte( to admlt steam. 1n the base-section 1 while the lower passage provides for the return flow of the water of condensation to the heating system. This partition -13- is provided with a circular` opening -15- co-axial with the inner tubular section which it receives, onev side of the opening -15 being provided with a recess' or notch -16- for `receiving a corresponding shoulder -17- on the tubular section -3-.

After the partition 13- is properlylocated within the section 1 the tubular section -3- is inserted from the top downward through the o ening 15- in the ar tition 113- within t e section -1- unt its lower end is seated upon the annular shoulder --6- by which the tubular section -3 is supported. In placing thesection -3- in position, as just described, the outwardl; projecting shoulder -17- is registered wit the notch or recess -16- until the shoulder is brought just below the --partition 13-, whereupon the section 3- is rotated slightly to shift the shoulder #17- outof registration with its respective notch or recess -16-- so as to lie dlrectly under the adjacent ortions of the partition for support- 1ng the atter in a plane at substantially right angles to the axes of the tubular section -1-. It is evident, however, that this recess -16- and shoulder -17 may be disensed with by snugly fitting the arm 14.- c'iiametrically within the inlet -lland similarly fitting the tubular section I3- Within the opening 15-`. In this case the arm 14 would be retained in the diametric plane of the inlet by the sides of such inlet,

in its outer dimension '4 than the interior diameter of the section -1- forming an intervening .chamber which -is divided transversely by the partition 13*` into lower and uppereompartnrents L 1&8@- arrd which communicate with each other through .the passage. or'reces's' `16 and additional passages 20.- in the partition 13` to permit the drip of tite water of condensation from the chamber 19 into the sub-chamber 18'. The essential purpose of this partition 13 is to separate t e inflowing steam from the return flow of the Water of condensation so that the latter will not be agitated and forced into the float chamber and vent ducts by the inflowing steam, but at the same time the passages -16 and 20*- per- 'rnit an equalization of the steam pressure Within the chambers -19- and 18- whichV allowswthe water to gravitate fromA the well -18- backward through the 4lower side of the inlet -11 below the partition v13-. These assages -16 and -20- are preferably ocated at the side of the tubular section -3- op osite to the inlet where the sides of the she l are cooler', and therefore, the condensation is more rapid allowin the water to gravitate naturall beneath t e artition where it returns witli, greater expe iency through the lower side of the inlet to the heating system.

The upper end of the inner tubular section -3'- is preferably expanded or enlarged to substantially the interior diameter of the base'section -1 and is referably screwed or otherwise secured into t e lower end of the upper tubular section-2.-,'thereb dividing the upper compartment 19- o the lsec-v tion -'1-' from the interior ofthe up er section -2, but communication is esta lished between said compartment and interior of' the section 2- through suitable openings TS- 1n the upper expanded end of the section -3- some distance above the inlet -11-. 4

The lower end of theV tubular section 3v-Q v is fitted with a watertight joint in the base section 1 u on the shoulder 6- some distance below tihe inlet, forming a well 12- extending from the bottom c'a ,-8- to the level of the apertures 3 ese apertures 3 allow the steam to enter the tubular sections -1- and 2- to envelop thefloat -'-10-, the water of condensation being precipitated along the inner sides of the section A 2- into the well 12'. This up er tubular section 2 is co-axial with t e sectionsu -1- and -3-, and has its 4lower lend screwed or otherwise secured to the upper end of the'base section -1-, thereby formlng a unitary shell com osed of ll ht sheet metal tubular sections w ich are a apted to 'i be spun,. pressed or stamped to the desired form so that they may be manufactured at ai com aratively low cost.

e u per extremity'of the section -2- is materia y contracted forming a tubularniple -2 1- whichi is in this instance, threaded .interiorly and exteriorly for receiving respectival a threaded plaag er bashing 22: and

-the ower .reduced end of the cap section -4-. .Ther bushing. -22- is provided with a lengthwise passageA or vent open -23 having its lower e'nd enlarged aii rounded at the top forming a concave seat -25- for receiving the upper semi-spher lower end of this valve stem `is swivel connected by ball -28- and socket --29- to the u per end of the float so as to perrni'tl t le valve -26- to more readily adjust itself to its seat-25- and thereby more positively close the vent- -23- when the 10 oat 10- is actuated.

The float -10- consists of a tubular shell lco-axial with, but somewhat smaller in diameter than the interior diameters of the shells 1, 2 and 3, in which it is movable, leaving ample clearance at the sides to prevent contact with the shell sections which might interfere with its free operation. This float is closed at the top vand bottom, the bottom being provided with comparatively thin lateral ojections -30-, the outer edges of `whicli are dis osed in close proximity to the inner sides ci) the tubular extension -7- of the base section -1- so as to uide the Boat in its vertical movement and eep the lower end substantially co-axial with the outer shell.

tally by a transverse partition -31- forming lower and u er compartments -32- and--33-, whlci latter communicates at its lower end with the well 12" through suit- -31-. The purpose ofthe air tig t chamber -32- in the lower ortion of the float 35 -10- which dips into t e well 12 is t0 increase the buoyancy of the float and to make it possible to o erate such float with a comparatively sm l amount of water of condensation whieh may collect in the well 12-. When no water is present in the well 12 `the bottom of the float rests upon the stopin -9- but as the 4water accumulates om the bottom u ward and surrounds the lower end of the {lbat having the air tight chamber -32 it tends to buoy or raise the float from'its seat -9-, and the bushing -22- is also adjusted so that when the float is balanced in the water the valve -26- is slightly open or separated from `its seat -25- said float being made of such l specific gravity as to be substantially balance by a quantity of water in the well sufficient to trap the air in the float. t auch conditions it is clearly obvious that the slightest heating of the air which is trapped in the chamber -33- of the float -10- b the water ressure at the ports -34-, t e oat will e instantly elevated to close t the valve -26- against its seat 25-. The ports -34- in the float -10- are preferably located in a plane above the inlet -11- close to the partition -31- and permit ,the entrance into the chamber -33- of just sufficient water from the well 12- ical end -26- of a valve stem -27-. The

The interior 0f the sont is divided horizon-l able ports -34- just above the partition,

Under,

to trap the air in the upper part of said chamber -33- so that as soon as the steam enters the compartment I9-, it not only heats and expands the water in the chamber 12'-, but at the Same time it enters the shell -2- through the passages 3'-, and 70 by enveloping the upper )ortion of the float it heatsthe trapped air t erein, which operates to elevate the float and at the same time presses the Water back under the float to further accelerate the closing of the valve -26- against its seat -25- to prevent the escape of the heating agent through the vent -23-.

I have now described the mechanism by which the air is allowed to escape from the heating system and by which the vent passage isy closed immediately upon the entrance of stealn into the valve shell, and I will now proceed to describe the means by which the air is preventedy yfrom rentrance into the system, and also' the means for positively closin0r the exit of the air from such system. These latter mechanisms are preferably incorporated within the cap-sections -4- and --5 A bushing -35- 90 is screwed into the lower reduced end of the cap section -4- and is provided with vertical air passages -36- and a socket -37- for receiving a ball -38- on the lower end of the valve stem -39-. The upper end 95 of this valve stem -39- is semi spherical and is adapted to engage the concave valve seat -40- in a bushing -41- which is secured to a lexible diaphragm -42-. This diaphragml is preferably circular in top plan, and is seated upon the upwardly flaring end of the cap-section -4-, and is held in place b a circular metal disk or plate -43- an the upper cap section --5-.

The peripheries of the diaphragm -42- and plate -43- are, clamped `between the cap sections -4- and -5-, leaving the central portion of the diaphragm to be moved vertical] by the varying air pressures above andy beneath the same, the disk -43- serving as a reinforcement to prevent undue' buckling or upward movement of the diaphragm, and is provided with a series of apertures -45- therethrough to prevent the formation of an lair cushion or partial vacuum between the diaphragm and disk which might interfere With the free acltion of the diaphragm. The bushing -41- moves with the dlaphragm and is formed with a vent opening -46- leading from the valve seat -40-.

The disk -43- is provided with a central i threaded aperture in whichis movable a screw threaded bushing -47- having a central air passage -48- and lateral air passages -49- leading` from the central passage -48- and communicating `with the space between the upper cap section -5- and disk a central an 43- to permit the escape of air from the interior of the shell to atmosphere when the valves 26- and 39 are o en.

The upper end of the bus ing-47 is provided with an annular flange 49' fitting in the annular grooves 50 in the cap section 5 so as to hold the bushing 47 against axial movement while it is being rotated to adjust'the center of the disk 43, said bushing being provided with lar socket .51 for receiving a suitabe adjustin tool, not shown. The bushin 35 -is a so provided with a transverse s ot 56 for receiving a suitable adjusting tool, as .a screw driver, not. shown, but by which the bushing 35- may be ad'usted to move the valve 39 toward an from its seat 4() in the diahragm 42. This valve 3'9 is ad- ]usted so that when the ressure on the' o posite sides of the diap ra m is equal tli) valve seat 402- is engage with the upper Y vs herical end of the valve 39, thereby c osing communication between the system and atmosphere and `preventing rentrance of the air to said system. y

When in action, to ermit the escape of air from the system, t e bushing 47 is adjusted to leave a slight separation or space 30 between its lower end and the upper face of the dia hragm, or. rather lthe upper face of the bus ing 41- to allow a limited vertical movement or play of the diaphragm under une ual pressures on its opposite faces to unseat t 1e valve 39- from its seat 40 thereby allowing the escape of the air from the system through the passages 46 and 48- to the atmosphere, or until the passage 23 is closed b the valve 26- under the action of the oat 10.

In operation, assuming that the float 10 is balanced in the water of condensation in the well 12' with its lower end in close proximity to or engaging the limitin stop 9 and the valve 2(3v has o ene( or separated from its seat '--25 ani that the diaphragm 42 is de ressed to engage its seat 40 with the va ve 39 thereby closing the passa e 46 against the'reentrance of air into t e system-then as soon as the inlet'of the radiator to which the air valve is attached is opened, the air will be forced through the upper side of the inlet 11 above the partition 13 and will nd exit through the ports 3 into the shell 2, and thence, outwardly'through the open passages 23- and 36 and will'exert a lifting pressure upon'the comparatively large area of the diaphragm 42' sufficient to elevate it and its seat 40 from the valve 39, thereby opening a vent through the passages 46 and .48 to atmosphere. cally all expelled from the system the steam enters the inlet 11 above the partition As soon as the air is practi-,y

tion 2 surrounding the upper portion of the float 10. The Water of condensation which accumulates in the Well 12'-` surrounding the lower portion .of the float 10 causes the air to be'trapped in the upper portion of the float above the water inlet 44 in one side of said float. This water in the well 12' and the trapped air in the upper part of the float 10 is immediately expanded upon the entrance of .the heating agent, as steam, causing the oat to instantly rise and close its valve 26 against its seat 25, thereby cutting off the escape of the steam throughthe passage 23 to atmosphere, and relievin in a measure, the upward lift upon the diap ra m 42, which latterimmediately rece es and closes its seat 40- u on the valve 39- to revent any possi ility of renf trance of air into the chamber. The excess water of condensation accumulating in the well 12 is forced backward into the system A13- in the manner previousl described, and it is obvious that kthis backfa l of the water of condensation into the system when the` the float 10, thereby openin the valve 26 from its seat 25. his artial vacuum keeps the heating agent in t e upper part of the system, or nearest the air vent so t at when the steam is again turned on to cause an upward pressure upon the diaphragm, the operation of permitting the es ca e of air is repeated.

' he inlet of the steam to theradiating system is usually controlled by valves in close proximity to the radiator, but I have found that by makin the bushin or plate 43- adjustable so t at one of t e parts may be forced downwardly upon the diaphragm 42, theseat 40.- ma be rmly held against the valve 39, t ereb not only preventing rentrance of air to t e system, out also reventing the escape of the cold air there rom. It is clearly obvious that under these conditions an air cushion is formed between the system and atmosphere which cannot be displaced, and therefore, operates4 to hold back the heating agent from advancing through the radiator. On the other hand, as soon as the bushing 47 is readjusted to permit the u lift of the diahragni 42 to raise the va ve seat 40 mediately escape and allow the heating agent to advance into the system, as pre- `'viouslyr described.

In l! igs. 1 and 2 I have shown the threaded inlet nipple as screwed into a portion of a through the inlet 11 below the partition iio ` roin Athe valve 39- the cold air may im-l 125 the radiator f'-a` and as provided with a lock nutl -bhaving a recess cfin Awhich is fltted a packing 'or gasket d the lock nut serving to clamp the air valve easing against turning in the radiator and the packing serving to prevent leakage of Watervor steam. Y

What I claim is:

p 1. In an air valve for radiators, a shell ha\V ing an inlet o ening and a vent opening and rovided wit a float chamber closed at ottomand hat ing a assage through one side above the inlet-an communicating therewith whereby a well is formed in the bottom of the float chamber, a val-e for the vent opening, and a hollow float for actuating said valu e, said float hai ing a closed bottom and a trans'.erse artition abone the bottom and also provi ed with an opening in one side below vthe passage in the float chamber and abo*i e the partition.

2. In an air val-:e for radiators, a shell having a loat chamber and an vadditional chamber surrounding the lower portion of the float chamber, said shell ha. ing an inlet and an air vent, the inlet communicating with the additional chamber, theair .ent

leading from the float chamber, said shell also ha. ing a passage connecting said chambers'abo'ze the inlet, a valve for the.v vent f opening, and a float for actuating said valx'e,

i said float ha*` ing a transterse partition di: idying it into upper and lower compartments,

the interior of the shell and a trans, erseCparthe upper compartment ha`l ing alateral opening communicatin with the float chamber. 3. In an air va ve for radiators, a shell ha` ing an inlet and an' air vent, a valve for the air vent, and a hollow float for actuating the valve, said float ha` ing a partition dividing its interior into lower and up er compartments, the lower compartment eing air tight and .the upper compartment han ing a lateral assage opening into the interior of the shell).

4. In an air valve for radiators, a shell ha, ing an inlet and an air vent, a valve for the air vent, and a hollow float for actuating the val: c, said float ha.l ing its lower and uper ends closed and its intermediate portion ormed with a-lateral passage opening into tition in the float below said passa e an dividlng the interior of the fioatinto ower and upper compartments.

5. In an air valve for radiators, a shell having outer and inner tubular sections, the inner section being united at its top and bottom, the outer section forming with the outer shell an intervening space, the outer shell having an inlet communicating with said space, a partition dividing said s ace into lower and upper com artments an extending into the inlet, sai partition having openings therethrough conneetin said compartments to permit the water o condensation to` collect and return to thev radiator below the partition, the inner tubular section having a well extending above and beneath the plane of the inlet and having an opening communicating with the u per compartment to determine the level o the water in the well, a heat actuated fioat dipping in the well, and a valve for the air vent actuated by the float.

6. In an air valve for radiators, a shell having an inlet and an air vent, the inlet communicatin with the -interior of the shell above its ottom formin a well, said shell having outer and inner tu es, the inner tube being united at the tcp and bottom to the vfouter tube formin an intervening space, and

also forming a W'e l within the inner tube, a partition dividing said space into lower and upper compartments both communicating with they inlet, said inner tube having an opening in one side above the partition and determlnin the level of the water in theinner well, a t cat dipping in the inner well, and a valve for the' air vent actuated by the iloat, said float being actuated by the heat of the heating agent.

7. 1n an air valve for radiators, a shell having an inlet in one side and an adjustable bushing in its top provided with an air vent, a valve for the an' vent, a ileat for actuating the valve, a cap secured to the tcp of the shell and provided with anrair vent, a diaphragm secured in the ,ca and havin an air vent, a valve at the un: er side of t e diaphragm coactin with said vent to allow the escape of air an prevent its rcntranee into thc shell, and adjustable means above the diaphragm for limiting its upward movement. p f- 8.' In an air valve for radiators, a shell having an air vent opening in its top, a cap secured to the top of the shell and provided with an air vent, a diaphravnx in the cap having an air vent, an ad justable bushing in the base of the cap having an air passaUe therein, a valve seated in said bushing and eoacting with the lower end of the vcnt in the diaphragm to permit the escape of air and prevent its rentrance into the shell, and a perforated plate across the up er side of and in close roXimity to the diap iragm.

9. n an air valve for radiators, a shell having an air vent openin in its top, a cap. secured to the top of the s ell and provided,

and from the diaphragm.

10. In an air valve for radiators, a shell having yan air ventin its top, a cap secured to the top of the shell and provided with an air vent, aibushin adjustable in the base of the cap and provi ed with air pass es therein, a valve connected by a universal ]oint to said bushing, a diaphragm in the cap having an vits bottom forming a well, t e inner chamber having a vent opening in its top, said outer chamber havi 'an over-flow passage above the inlet fornun valve for the air vent controlled by said float. 12'. A n air valve for radiators compris' a shell having an inlet and an Vair passage, t e inlet communicating with the interior of the shell above its bottom forming a well, a oat having a closed air chamber in its lower end dipping in the well, said oat being closed at the top and having a water inlet Just above the closed air chamber communicating with the Well',` whereby the iniowing water traps the air in the uper part of the loat, a valve actuated by the oat and controlling the passage of air through said passage, a cap on the` inclosing said passage and provided a well in theinner4 chamber, a float in the inner chamber, and a spasso i with an airvent, a movable diaphragm in the cap between the aix, vent and passage, and

having inner and outer chambers closed at the bottom, the outer chamber havin an inf let above the bottom forming a wellyt erein, said `chambers being connected by an overflow passage above the inlet forming a well in the inner chamber of reater depth'than that .of the outer .chamlgnen and a hollow ioat in the inner chamber 4having a closed bottom, and an ,opening in one side below the plane of the over-flow passage, said float having a transverse partition be ow its opening and dividing the interior of the oat. into lower and upper compartments.

14. In an air valve for radiators, a shell having an inner chamber and an outerwchamber,l the outer chamber having an inlet above its bottom forming a weil, sald chambers being connected by anover-iiow passage above the inlet, and a transverse partition dividing the outer chamberinto upper and lower compartments and extendin into the inlet,

said partition bein provide with an openin connecting sai compartments. p

` witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 12th 'da of October 1906.

T OMAS WHEATLEY.

Witnesses:

' H. E. CHASE,

M. M. No'r'r.

io 13. In an air .va vefor radiators, a shell-V 

